How to Clean Suede Boots

Be sure to protect your suede boots with waterproofing compound.

Suede boots, from rugged cowboy and hiking boots to high-fashion heeled boots, are popular fall and winter footwear. Suede leather is soft and comfortable, especially in the winter as it does not become stiff when exposed to cold. Suede has a velvety, elegant appearance that makes suede boots attractive for evening wear, and it is rugged enough to be used for sport and even work boots. You can apply a waterproofing compound to your suede boots to protect them against water stains. You need to clean your boots with tools and brushes or a chemical suede cleaner before waterproofing.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Clean towel
• Newspaper or rags
• Pencil eraser or suede cleaning block
• Suede brush or toothbrush
• Emery board or nail file
• Suede cleaning foam, solution or spray
• Soft, clean cloth
• Suede waterproofing compound

Cleaning Without Chemicals

1. Press a towel against the outer surface of your suede boots to absorb as much moisture as possible.

2. Stuff the boots with newspaper or rags and allow them to dry overnight. Do not use artificial heating appliances such as a hair dryer or space heater to dry your boots.

3. Remove dirt by brushing with a suede brush or clean toothbrush. Rub a pencil eraser or suede cleaning block over stains to remove them. Gently sand any stubborn stains with a nail file or emery board.

4. Brush the suede in one direction with a suede brush to restore the natural nap.

5. Apply a suede waterproofing compound according to the directions on the label. Repeat the cleaning process and re-apply waterproofing compound whenever you notice stains such as deep dirt stains or road salt stains on your boots.

Cleaning with Suede Cleaner

1. Dry your wet boots by pressing a towel against them to sop up excess moisture. Stuff them with newspaper or rags and let them dry naturally overnight. Do not use any source of artificial heat to speed up the drying process.

2. Remove surface dirt and debris with a brush or suede cleaning bar. Make sure all surfaces that you intend to clean are fully dry and free of visible dirt.

3. Shake your can of aerosol cleaner well. Spray cleaner directly onto your boots or onto a soft, clean cloth depending on the directions on the label of the suede cleaner you are using.

4. Rub the cleaner into the suede. Use the cloth that you saturated with cleaner or a clean sponge or soft cloth if you sprayed cleaner directly onto the suede. Distribute the cleaner evenly over the entire surface of your boots.

5. Wipe away excess cleaner with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the boots to dry naturally. This should take about a half-hour as suede cleaner solvents evaporate much more quickly than water.

6. Brush your boots in one direction with a suede brush to restore the nap.

7. Apply a suede waterproofing compound according to the directions on the label. Repeat the cleaning process and re-apply waterproofing compound whenever your boots become stained or dirty.

Tips & Warnings

• Try treating your boots with a water and stain repellent. Make sure it's safe for suede and see if you need to reapply every so often. An ounce of prevention and all.

• There are stones used to clean suede materials. They can be purchased online or at any shoe store. If you use one of those, test it first on a part of the boot that is discreet in case the stone discolors the suede.

References

• "Good Housekeeping Magazine; Caring for Shoes and Boots in the Winter"; Carolyn Forte
• Allens Boots: Boot Care: Suede Cowboy Boots
• Timberland: Renewbuck Suede and Nubuck Cleaner: Product Overview, 2010-2011
• Top of the Line: Suede Foaming Leather Cleaner: Directions, 2011

Resources

• S.C. Johnson and Son: Kiwi: Facts and Tips: Suede and Nubuck